Foot-support.



L. W. VIWILMS FOOT SUPPORT.

APPLICATION min JULYZB. IEHE.

Patented July 3, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

"Dwel 1X37; 2 W Mm,

L. W. V. WILMS.

FOOT SUPPORT.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 28, 1916. v 1,232,455. Patented July 3,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 21 L. W. V. WILMS.

FOOT SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28,1916.

Patented July 3, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- instances, by the improper 11131 W'. V. WILMS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOOT-SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 3, 1917.

Application filed July 28, 1916. Serial No. 111,772.

To all whom it may concern it known that l, lime VJ. V. More, :1 citizen of the United l' ltiitess, and resident. ol Chicago, in the county of Cook and Su te of "lllinois, have invented oeltuin Improvements in Foot-Supports, n'! which the following is :1 specilicutimi.

This invention relates: to certain new and useful improvemei'its in n detachable or removable device to be worn within shoes or boots, mainly of the {M iinnz'y coim'nercinl or standard form, for v.12 purpose of nifording the greatest amount of comfort to the wearer, as well on, for or lrreeting and preventing certain (1315 nice} defects and unnatural, as well other ohjectiomihle tendencies; of the feet, occz ouvd. in many lpport for the various portions, muscles, ii nnents, and boneeof the feet, and, it consists in the novel construction and adaptation of the various parts thereof, will be hereinafter more fully, Set forth and specifically claimed.

heprincipal objects of my invention are to provide a heel bill-nose that extends forward to support the entire os-eelcio (heel bone), and other tame bones, thereby pre venting and correcting; weakened urehes and rvi -.insteps and all foot strain due to IlUD'lQl'OUlS causes.

Another object is to provim: a heel balance in combination with an n support for more severe cases of weakened arch and 1' not strainnnd flat-foot;

Also to provide 2. combination heel balancenreh and ball support for {revere cases 1 of fallen arch. and instep, und' 'n. condition known as fallen. transverse arch or metate-rsalgiaand Mortoue toe.

- Still another object of my inventhm is to provide a heel balance and arch support that will provide means of support where support is necessary, namely, under the. Plttl'lllill surface ofthe out instead of the inner hit eral side, and thereby support the foot as nature intended it.

A further object of my invention is to provide a heel. balance and arch support that will Support and balance the heel 01 posterior pillar of the Foot in incipient cases,

and raise up the tilted os-czxlcis (heel bone),'

give proper balance to the posterior pillar or osraleis supporting the anterior portion thereoi at its anterior inferior tubercle, also, su 'iporting the some laterally 0n the inner and outer side and somewhat on the inner side ol' the arch, and extending forward to the ball of the foot, ving support at a point just back oi the metatarsal heads.

vIn order to enable others skilled in the art to which the invention pertains to make and use the sumo, 1 will now proceed to describe it, referring to the zuzcompunying drawings, in which--- Figure 1 is :1 top plan View ol u heel bulanee and mpport for the posterior arch of the i'oot.

Fig, 2 in view in elevation of the inner edge of the ilUl-liififi; but in n reversed positiou.

Fig. 3 is 11 bottom or reverse plan view from that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig; 4: is a view in elevation of the outer edge of the device.

Fig. 5 is u. reur end view of Fig. 1.

Fig; 6 is n cross-sectional view taken on line (5 4; of Fig. '1 looking in the direction indicated by the iii-rows,

Fig. 7 is :1 top phln viewol'n modification in the construction of the dc'vioq'wvhieh is for the purpose of balancing the heel and supporting the longitudimil arch of the foot.

Fig. .8 is; it view in elevation of the inner edge thereof, hut in n reversed position.

Fig. 9 515 .1. bottom or reverse plan view from that shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is :1. view in elevation of the outer edge thereof.

Fig. ll is u reur end view of l igL 7.

Fig; 12 is n cross-sectional view taken on line 12--12 of Fig. 7, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of another modified *lorm oi the device which is to be used for balancing the heel, supporting the arch and sup 'lorliug the transverse arch nt vthe metal-areal heads.

Fig. 14 is :1 view in elevation of the inner edge thereof", but in a reversed position.

Fig. 15 is n bottom or revewie plan view from i'hut shown in Fig 13. l

l6 is a view ll] el edge thereof.

Fig. "17 is :1. rear end view of Fig. 13,-and

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectiolml view taken on line"'l8' 'lS-oi' Fig. 13, looking in the direction indicated by tlurarrows.

Like munernlzroi reference refer to col -.\'nltion hf the outer views of the drawings, in which it will be seen and understood that the devices shown therein are all for the left footi it being deemed unnecessary to show the evices for the right foot, as they would be the same as those shown, except that the parts thereof would be located in the opposite directions or reversely.

Referring now to Figs l to 6 inclusive of the drawings, the device consists of an elongated piece 20 of leather or other-suitable material, which has its rear portion rounded and its front portion terminating ina line diagonally across said piece, thusaffording an extension 21 which projects, when in place in a shoe, under the arch of the foot. The upper surface of the heel portion of the piece 20 is provided with a cavity or depression 22, which is more clearly shown in Fig. 5, and as therein illustrated, extends slopingly from the inner edge of the heel portion of the piece 20. to near the outer edge of said part, thus forming a pocket or cavity 22 with its deepest portionnear the \Vhen-thus formed with the cavity or pocket 32, it is obvious, that the thicker ortion of the heel part of the piece 20 will c located The bottom of the cavity '22 isconcaved and is slightly raised or inclined upwardly -toa point a slight distance in front of the front portion of the heel of the wearer, as at 23, see Fi 5 of the drawings. The front portion of-t e piece 20 is skived on its in ner lower surface asat 24, see Fig. 2, and said front portion of the piece 20 is tapered toward its end to substantially a knife ed e. By this construction of the portions of t e piece 20 it is obvious that a slight depression 25 will be provided'at the outer" portion of said piece. i

modification in the construction of-the device, which modified form is particularly intended for. balancing the heel and supporting the longitudinal archof the foot, and consists in making the piece 20 considerably longer than in the other construction and in 'placin and securing, on the lower surface of t e piece 20, a resilient plate or piece of metal 26, by preference, of ubstantially the shape shown by'dotted lines in Fig. 7 and by continuous lines in Fig. 9. In this modification the piece 20 is practically of the same construction as that shown in'Figs. l to 6 inclusive. with the addition of an extension of said piece at its forward endand with theaddition of the resilient metal plate 26, which may be secured to the piece 20 by means of riv- 6 5 ets 27, located at points about as shown.

outer edge of the piece 20 or heel balance.v

In Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive, isshown a In Figs. 13 to 18 inclusive, is shown another modification in the construction of the device, which is particularly intended for balancing the heel, supporting the arch and the transverse arch at the metatarsal heads and it consists in the employment of a pa of cushioning material 28 of substantially the same shape in outlines as the piece shown in Figs. 7 and 9 inclusive.

In the modification now under considerationfthe body orpiece 28 of cushioning Inateijial isby preference, covered both above a (1. below with leather 29 or anv. other suitab kind of lining, and said piece or body has secured to its lower slh-face a resilient metal body 26 of substantially the same construction as that employed in the modified form of the device, shown in Figs. 7 to. 12

inclusive. In the present modified construction, the iece or body 28 is provided with a longitu inally extended and transversely arched portion 30 on its upper surface,

which portion extends from the front part of the heel to apoint near the front part of the metatarsal arch of the foot as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 14

of the drawings, in which figure it will be seen that the arched portion 30 is depressed as at 31,, from a point immediately forward of the tarso-metatarsal articulation to a point just back of the metatarsal heads of the foot.

The heel balance shown in Figs. 1 to 6. inclusive, by its special construction and contour, when worn in regular stock or made to order boots or shoes will prevent running over of the heel outwardly, by giving elevation to the inner portion and permitting the outer portion of the heel to rest in cavity or depression 22. thereby taking 01f just sufficient pressure onthe outer and rear portion of the heel of the boot'or shoe to )revcnt \\'earing.'a1nl thus causing it to balance evenly on heel and to wear the heel straight.

The heel balance and arch support. shown in Figs. 7 to 12, inclusive. by its special con; struction and contour, when worn in regIL lar stock or made to order boots or.

will prevent running over of the heel fiulJ-I 1 5 wardly by giving elevation to the 'inner portion and permitting the outer portion of the heel, to rest in cavity or depression 22, t reby takingotl just suflicicnt pressure onthe outer and rear portion of the heel of the boot or shoe to prevent wearing and thus causing it to balance evenly and to avear the heel straight.

The heel balance arch and ball support showirin Figs. 13, to 18 inclusive,zby-its-'12 rpecial construction and contour, when worn in regular stock or made to order boots orshoes will prevent running over of the heel outwardly, by giving elevation to the inner portion and permitting the outer portion 1 1O a raise or upward incline of the heel balance 'as at 23, under anterior portion of the osi thereby taking off just sullicient pressure on the outer and rear portion of the heel of the boot or shoe to prevent'wearing, and thus causing it 'to balance evenly on heel and to wear the heel straight.

By supporting the inner-tubercle of the os-calcis and permitting the outer tubercle and fleshy part of the heel to rest in the depression 22, and by giving-support by slight calcis and other tarsal bones, support is hereby derived that will also prevent and relieve arch strain and give support to the posterior arch sustaining the posterior pillar of the arch of the footand thereby revent more serious trouble and discom orts and correct ac uired and traumatic heel and arch troub e, and support the entire longitudinal arch and cause action of certain muscles that practically lie dormant and become atrophied from want of use, and by stimulating muscular action in the plantar surface (the sole of the foot) will stimulate circulation of the blood supply in the foot, and at the same time, prevent and gradually correct deformities of the foot,

such as foot-strain rupturedligaments, or

fallen arches, both longitudinal and transverse and acquired or traumatic flat-foot,"

and metatarsalgia and Morton s toe. This support specially designed to sustain the.

entire under surface of the human foot in a \vay as nature would sustain it if We walked on mother earth without shoes as nature intended and thereby causing action of the plantar muscles and supporting the entire tarsal bones as well as the metatarsals well forward to their articulations with the phalanges.

The depression 31, takes place at the plantar arch so as not. to interfere with the finer structures of the foot at this point, namely, to impair the circulation at the dorsalis pedis artery, or cause pressure at the arch of the external plantar nerve, both of which run transversely at'this point.

The raised bad just ahead of the depression 31, supports the anterior transverse or metatarsal arch just back of the metatarsal heads supporting the entire metatarsal arch .and particularly the 2nd, 3d, I and 4th metatarsal bones.

The metal. arch plate used in the construction shown in Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive and in Figs. 13 to 18 inclusive is made of material which is both somewhat ductile and resilient, so that said plate can be given the detions of the plantar surface of the foot and also to relieve or take-away pressure as desired so as to give perfect comfort to the wearer.

Having thus fully described. the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters. Patent isv 1. A device of the character,described, consisting of an elongated piece or insert for foot wear having in the upper surface thereof near its heel end a cavity increasing in depth from near the inner edge of said piece to near its outer edge, said cavity being mainly located rearwardly of a trans verse line near the anterior portion of the os-calcis of the foot, to receive the os-calcis and fleshy part of the heel. Y 2. A. device of the character described. consisting of an elongated piece or insert for foot-Wear having in the upper surface thereof near one of its-ends a cavity increasing in depth from near the inner edge of said piece to near its outer edge, the said cavity having a forwardly and upwardly inclined surface adapted to extend to or under the anterior portion of the os-calcis and other tarsal bones of the foot.

3. A device of the: character. described,

footwear having iltthe upper surface thereof near one of Its ends a partially concave cavity increasing in depth from near the inner edge of said piece to near its outer edge, the said cavity having a forwardly and upwardly inclined surface adapted to extend to or under the anterior portion of ifshe os-calcis and other tarsal bones of the oot.

4. A device of the character described, consisting of an elongated piece or insert for foot-wear having in the upper surii'ucc thereof near one of its ends a cavity increasing in depth from near the inner edge of said piece to near its outer edge, the said piece being of sufficient length to extend to and under the anterior portion of the os- -calcis and other tarsal bones and terminating at its front end diagonally from the outer edge to the inner edge of said piece, said cavity having a forwardly and upwardly inclined surface.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with an elongated piece or insert for'footwear having in the upper surface thereof near one of its ends a cavity increasing in depth from near the inner edge of said piece to near its outer edge, of a resilient metal arch plate mounted longitudinally on the lower surface of said piece or insert and being slightly upwardly arched,

consisting of an elongated piece or insert for edge near its front end and forwardly and inwardly tapered at its inner front portion.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with an elongated piece or insert for'foot-Wear made of cushioning ma- 7 terial and having in the upper surface thereof near one of its ends a cavity increasing in depth from near the inner edge of said piece to near its outer edge, the said cavity having a forwardly and upwardly inclined surface extended from its center, the said piece having its upper portion arched both longitudinally and transversely, and provided in the front of said arched portion with a depression, of a resilient arch plate mounted longitudinally on the lower surface of the said piece and secured thereto near each of its ends, the said plate being slightly upwardly arched.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with an elongated piece or insert, for foot-wear having in the upper surface thereof, near one of its ends a cavity increasing in depth from near the inner edge of said piece to near its outer edge, and a bendable resilient metal arch plate mounted longitudinally on the lower surface of said piece or insert and bein slightly upwardly arched, the said plate fieing secured to the said piece near each of its ends, the said cavity having a forwardly and upwardly inclined surface iextendlngfrom about its center, the said insert also having a depression at its outer edge near its front,

end and forwardly and inwardly depressed at its inner portion.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with an elongated piece or insert for foot-wear having in the'upper surface thereof near one of its ends a cavity increasing in depth from near the inner edge of said piece to near its outer edge,

the said cavity having a forwardly and up-V wardly inclined surface extending from about its center, the said insert also having a depression at its outer edge near its front end and forwardly and inwardly depressed at its inner portion. v

LEE W. V. WILMS. Witnesses CHAS. C. TILLMAN, LYLLIAN Pozrox. 

